Edgewater is the home for a new spin on Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. George Bumbaris is a former coder who opened a pizzeria in the spring. He uses longer fermentation and lower oven temperatures to give the neighborhood high-quality pies that tourists would loves if they’d be willing to depart downtown for the Far North Side. The pies feature a sourdough focaccia-style crust with a caramelized cheese edge. Bumbaris says his inspiration is a Greek bread recipe, according to Steve Dolinsky. Takeout and delivery only.

A pair of brothers have opened their first restaurant where quesabirria is the star. Beyond the Ravenswood location, there’s also a spot at 47th and Keating. Consomme with cheesy tacos is a trend that will outlast the pandemic. 

The Cubs might not have many players worth rooting for this season, given the fire sale at the trade deadline, but Diver at the Park gives fans a reason to visit the old neighborhood with fun drinks, tacos, and a well designed patio. The restaurant is inside the Wheelhouse Hotel.

Kevin Schuder has yearned for a larger dance floor since he opened his Lakeview cafe in 2019. He finally found a Lincoln Park space with a full bar so he can serve all-day breakfast, creative pastries, and even a special vegan tasting menu. This opening is big news in the vegan community and gives Chicago a quality venue for elevated vegan cuisine.

Esme is a welcome addition to Lincoln Park, where chef Jenner Tomaska and wife Katrina Bravo give fine dining a sorely needed overhaul. Tomaska, who worked for Next, Alinea Group’s rotating restaurant, is artfully churning out dishes like salt baked sable, salmon with spring pears in “ranch whey,” and carrot dauphine are pout of the $185 coursed-out meal. Reservations are mandatory.

Former Carnivale chef Rodolfo Cuadros has seen his cooking evolve. His successful Bucktown restaurant, Amaru, continues to delight, but during the pandemic he needed new ways to make money to help his business survive. He and his family had already drastically cut their meat intake at home, and so Cuadros turned to a virtual vegan restaurant for salvation. He’s now expanded that concept into a standalone restaurant in Wicker Park with a full bar and a vegan cheese plate that’s become a crowd please.

This is the next generation of a Jamaican restaurant from Buffalo, N.Y., as the owners’ children arrived in Chicago to bring Jamaican patties and jerk chicken to a space across the street from the Polish Triangle. The restaurant has plenty of rum and Red Stripe with a chill vibe inside a well-designed space that could fill a niche in Chicago.

Zubair Mohajir and his crew have been hustling for years with a food hall stall, pop-ups, and a virtual restaurant. Mohajir has worked at fine dining restaurants (like the world-famous Gaggan in Bangkok), and his applied a refined touch to South Asian street food. Find momos, burgers, fried chicken, biryani, and more at Wazwan’s latest incarnation. This is an appetizer for a more formal experience when Mohajir’s West Town restaurant, Aman, opens later this year. 

José Andrés’ hotly anticipated Chicago restaurant is heating up River North with the celebrity chef’s successful formula he debuted at the first Jaleo in D.C: traditional tapas in a casual setting. A basement bar should debut later this year.

Joe Flamm’s dream is finally here, as the the former Spiaggia chef and Top Chef winner opened his first restaurant alongside the owners of flashy West Loop steakhouse BLVD. Flamm merges his prowess with handmade Italian pastas and Croatian techniques blending Old and New Worlds to create something unique. Reservations are recommended, because this might the most difficult table in town.

One of the country’s best fine dining restaurants, Oriole reopened in July and was quickly booked for the coming months. During the pandemic, Noah and Cara Sandoval, the chef and co-owner, transformed their two-Michelin-starred restaurant, revamping and modernizing the interiors. But the tasting menu format remains. Expect impeccable service and a come-as-you-are environment that allows diners of all backgrounds to enjoy the experience. Reservations are scarce.

As the Trib reports, Erica McGhee is known as the Burger Queen as she shows no fear in stacking smashed beef patties with decadent toppings. Beyond burgers, customers can find stellar mac and cheese, a Sloppy Joe, and chilaquiles. McGhee is looking to expand her menu soon, so it will be cool to see how this all-day brunch spot grows.

West Coast native Stephen Gillanders has found a home in Chicago and his Pilsen spot, S.K.Y., has emerged as one of the best restaurants in town. The former Lettuce Entertain You chef has followed that effort with Apolonia in the South Loop. It’s a radical change for Gillanders, who dives into European cuisine. The chef takes a playful approach with pastas, a giant-sized chicken Kiev, and more. This neighborhood restaurant near McCormick Place will serve locals well.